Convertible cabinet and table.



No. 642,!06. Patented Jan. 30, I900. F. X. GANTER.

CONVERTSBLE CABINET AND TABLE.

(Application filed June 12, 1899.,

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No. 642mm. Patented Jan. 30, I900.

F. X GANTER.

CONVERTIBLE CABINET AND TABLE.

(Application filed June 12, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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FRrTihIC lS X. GANTER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

BONVERTlBLE CABINET AND TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,106, dated January 30, 1900.

Application filed June 12, 1899.

To 0Z7 whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS X. GANTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Cabinets and Tables, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined cabinet and table, and has for its object to provide a suitable cabinet which may be converted into a table by changing the relation of its parts, an object being to provide a bilhard-table.

The invention comprises a cabinet divided horizontally into two sections, the upper sec tion resting upon but free to move from off the lower one. It also comprises a table-top normally in a vertical position acting as a back for both sections of the cabinet and hinged to the upper rear edge of the top section, but free to be placed in a horizontal position by changing the relation of the cabinet-sections, and a spring-actuated device to assist in controlling the movement of the parts when the change is being made.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the cabinet when in its normal position and showing the relation of its principal parts. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, showing drawers and bookcases. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the cabinet and table, showing the position of the parts when being changed to the table form. Fig. -i is a vertical section through the spring controlling device, showing its construction. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the cabinet and table when used as a billiard-table. Fig. 6 is a View of a table-roller.

Referring now to the drawings, two cabinet'sections A and B are employed, the lower one resting on the floor and the other,B,loosely placed upon the lower section A and hinged at its upper rear corner a to the table-top O. A roller 1) is on the upper rear corner of the lower section, on which the said table-top when in the vertical position rests through the agency of a hook c, secured to the table. The hook also allows the table-top to tip concentrically with the said roller when the top is assuming the horizontal position, asin Fig. 3. Another hook 0, near the end of the table-top, limits the horizontal movement of Serial No. 720,130. (No model.)

said table-top by engaging with said roller 1) when the parts are changed to the form of a billiard-table. A tension-band is employed and connected with the lower end of the table-top to counterbalance the weight of the upper cabinet-section when changing from the normal cabinet position to the billiard' table position. This tension device comprises a spring-actuated drum-roller D, located in a bottom compartment of the lower section A. This roller turns loosely on a stationary shaft e, supported by a flanged bracketf, secured to the cabinet-section. A coiled spring 9 is within said drum-roller and is fastened by one end to said stationary shaft and by the other end to the inner rim-surface of said drum-roller at i. A chain or steel ribbon 7c is wound around and fastened at Z to the outside riin-surface of said drum-roller, said chain or ribbon being fastened at its other end m to the under side and near the lower end of said table-top, so that the unwinding of said chain or ribbon will meet with the resistance caused by winding up said spring and serve to counterbalance the weight of the upper section 13.

From the above description it is obvious that the operation of changing the upright cabinet to the form of a bi1liard-table consists in drawing the upper section of the cabi not forward and then downward until it comes in the same horizontal plane as the lower section and then sliding the table-top until the end hook c engages with the roller. The roller 1) has means to guide the table-top 0 straight when the latter is sliding horizontally. This may be a thin-edged collar n, projecting around the center of the roller, as in Fig. 6, and a corresponding longitudinal groove along the bottom of the table. This construction will cause the table to move straight when it is being adjusted.

In practice the cues employed in playing billiards may be secured to the wall of the room, and the table-top when in vertical position will close over said cues and conceal them.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a convertible cabinet and billiardtable the combination of a cabinet divided horizontally into separable sections, and a Table-top suitably connected to said sections and adapted, when the upper section is removed, to tilt from a vertical position behind both sections to a horizontal position and in the latter position supported by both sections, as set forth.

2. The combination of tWo separable cabinet-sections one normally resting upon the other; a table-top which in one position is vertically behind both sections and is hinged to the upper section and adapted to tilt, while resting on the lower section, from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa; and a tension device connecting from the lower section to the table-top and serving as a counterbalance to the upper cabinet-section when changing from the one position to the other, as set forth.

3. The combination of a cabinet, A, resting on the floor; a roller on the upper rear part In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS X. GANTER.

Witnesses:

THos. G. BAILEY, GEORGE II. KOETHER. 

